
Hopefully, he can continue his remarkable rookie season in the Eagles playoff matchup against Tampa Bay on Sunday. He finished the year as the 25th-best wideout in the NFL per PFF, earning an overall grade of 77.2. Smith is easily the best wide receiver the Eagles have had in a very long time. PFF also points out Smith’s elite route running ability of hitch routes, stating that his receiving grade and 298 yards receiving on such routes are both top-three in the league. He also posted the fifth-most receptions at least 20 yards down the field at 12. Per PFF, Smith had the sixth-highest average depth of target (15.2) in the NFL this year. While Smith wasn’t heralded as an elite deep threat entering the NFL, his deep route running ability has been one of his most valuable assets this season.
Devonta smith stts pro#
The extra game means nothing in this context - if Smith played in an Andy Reid offense, he would’ve broken the record weeks ago.įor his efforts, Smith was recognized by Pro Football Focus as one of the best rookies in the NFL this season, cracking their top-25 rookies list. Smith broke DJaxx’s record while seeing 14 less targets and blocking on 40% of his offensive snaps. Now, it's just a question of who comes next from Alabama.Not only did DeVonta break the franchise record with fewer target, he did it while blocking on 40 % (!!!) of his snaps. Smith and Waddle figure to challenge with numbers somewhere in the middle, and this is the standard they will be judged against. Of Alabama's five previous first-round picks, Cooper had the most yards and receptions and Ridley had the most TDs. Smith likely will be drafted ahead of Waddle, but that doesn't mean the latter won't have a more productive rookie season. Unlike 2020, we do not think the expected draft order will flip. 12 with Philadelphia – where Waddle could reunite with former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts. 6 with Miami – the same rules apply with Tagovailoa – to No. That's a good landing spot, but Waddle's big-play ability could land him anywhere from No.
Devonta smith stts upgrade#
"The Chargers will be locked into Waddle should he slip out of the top 10 as a new big-play target for Justin Herbert to complement Keenan Allen well and become a field-stretching upgrade over oft-injured Mike Williams." Ole Miss: Saw time against the Rebels but did not record any stats. SN's Vinnie Iyer has Waddle landing with the Los Angeles Chargers with the No. DeVonta Smith (6) WR - Senior (2020) One of three Heisman Trophy winners in Alabama history, joining Mark Ingram (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015) in holding the.

9) also could be in the mixt for Smith in the first round. 6) also could draft Smith and pair him with former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. 1 available."Īt that point, Smith would be the second receiver taken in the 2021 NFL Draft behind LSU's Chase, who totaled 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 TDs as a junior before opting out last season.
Devonta smith stts free#
Ultimately, after being gutted at the position in free agency, they need to go with the best all-around No. "The Lions would be ready to jump on Ja'Marr Chase should he slip and also will need to give thought to Smith's former Alabama teammate, Jaylen Waddle. SN's Vinnie Iyer has Smith landing with the Detroit Lions at the No. MORE: Ranking the top WRs in the 2021 NFL Draft DeVonta Smith draft projection Both also could be involved in the punt return game, though Waddle is a better bet for that early in his career. Both showed they can play on the outside, but they could each seem time in the slot – especially as rookies. Smith and Waddle's versatility is what might separate them from the other first-round picks. Smith, however, went on a tear for the remainder of the season – which included a record-setting performance in the College Football Playoff.

Smith and Waddle were 1A and 1B in Alabama's high-powered passing attack, and Waddle was the leading receiver at the time of his injury. Calvin Ridley (6-1, 190) and Jeudy (6-1, 193) had similar dimensions, and Ruggs (5-11, 188) shot up draft boards with a 4.27 in the 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine. Julio Jones (6-3, 220 pounds) and Amari Cooper (6-1, 210) did not face questions about their size. That's a tough call because Smith and Waddle are different than Alabama's past first-round receivers under Nick Saban. He returned for the CFP championship game, but he was still limited because of the leg injury. Waddle is 5-foot-10 and 182 pounds, and he also declined to run the 40-yard dash at Alabama's Pro Day. Waddle was one of the most exciting players in college football the last three seasons. He was a first-team SN All-American selection as a returner in 2019, and he had 28 catches for 591 yards – an average of 21.1 yards per catch – with four TDs before suffering a leg injury in Alabama's sixth game this season. The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.
